Surprises abound as AFCON 2023 enters quarter-final stage

The Round of 16 games in the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2023 have concluded with teams qualifying for the quarter-final stage after their victories. The round of 16 had more surprises than the group stage, with several teams shocking their fans with unexpected results.

Some countries that finished top of their groups were knocked out in the knockout stage, while countries that qualified as the best third-placed teams made it through. Hosts Cote d'Ivoire, Guinea, Mauritania, and Namibia, who finished third in their groups, eventually qualified as the best third-placed teams.

Cote d’Ivoire and Guinea, who qualified as the best third-placed teams, defeated their opponents in the round of 16 to progress to the quarter-finals. This year’s AFCON has been full of surprising and shocking moments that have left fans with a mixture of joy and tears.

Nigeria will face Angola in the quarter-finals of the AFCON, while Cape Verde will take on South Africa. This means that the winner of the Nigeria vs. Angola match will face the winner of the Cape Verde vs. South Africa match in the semi-finals. If Nigeria wins, their opponent will be either Cape Verde or South Africa, and the winner of that semi-final will advance to the final.

Mali will face Ivory Coast, while DR Congo will face Guinea. If Ivory Coast manages to beat Mali, they will meet the winner of the DR Congo vs. Guinea match in the semi-finals.

Some of the top teams that fans expected to reach the final after the elimination of the big teams were Nigeria, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, and South Africa. However, this ongoing AFCON has proven to be unpredictable, and anything can happen.